Heter meah rabbanim

Origins of the ban

Rabbeinu Gershom of Mainz issued decrees around the year 1000 CE. These rules stopped men from divorcing wives without consent. They also banned taking multiple wives at once. Later scholars explained these changes were necessary because society had become more complex. Women needed protection similar to that of men.

How the permission works

A court identifies a case where a woman refuses a get or has vanished. The court then seeks signatures from one hundred Torah scholars. These experts must live in at least three different countries or jurisdictions. Their collective agreement creates a valid exemption for the husband to marry again.

Modern procedures

Historically, men carried letters between towns to gather approvals manually. Today, communication tools allow courts to manage the process directly. Scholars review cases remotely. The system remains formal but much faster than it was in previous centuries.

Controversy and status

Some communities view this exemption with suspicion. Critics argue it enables men to bypass their wives' wishes. Israel forbids new polygamous marriages but protects existing families who immigrated from places where the practice was legal. The custom remains active but debated.

How Heter meah rabbanim is kept

A rabbinical court examines a situation where a wife refuses a get or is missing. If the case seems extreme, the court contacts scholars globally. One hundred experts must certify that the exemption is justified. Once gathered, the husband may remarry while remaining legally bound to the first wife.

When and where

It occurs after a marriage has stalled due to refusal or disappearance. There is no fixed season or calendar date for this procedure.

The custom applies wherever Jewish law is observed. It involves scholars from various nations, including Israel, Iran, and Yemen.

What Heter meah rabbanim means

The process highlights the tension between individual rights and communal stability. It shows how religious law adapts to prevent women from being trapped in broken marriages.

Who takes part

• The husband: Pleads his case to the court and scholars
• The beth din: Investigates the situation and coordinates signatures
• Scholars: Review the case and provide required approval
• The wife: Refuses the divorce or becomes unavailable

Then and now

The practice faces criticism for potentially harming women. Some view it as a loophole for men to avoid divorce obligations. Legal systems in some countries restrict its use.

Questions people ask about Heter meah rabbanim

See also

Kafa'ahThe Islamic legal principle of social and religious equivalence between spouses in marriage.Nikah halalaA second marriage required for a woman to remarry her first husband after triple talaq.NikahThe Islamic marriage contract that establishes a binding union between two people.Marriage in CyprusA destination for civil and religious weddings that allows interfaith couples to marry outside their home laws.

Good reading and sources

• Denying Wife a Divorce, He Marries AgainThe New York Times, Article
• Denying Wife a Divorce, He Marries AgainThe New York Times, Article

• Heter meah rabbanim on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.